The Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton public libraries are now working hand-in-hand to provide the best possible free service to Lehigh Valley residents.

After a yearlong discussion, library directors announced July 16 the official activation of the Lehigh Valley Library System, which standardizes borrowing rules and fees and creates a shared database of content and customers.

The intent is the integration of all three collections to share resources, coordinate purchases and avoiding duplication of materials. As borrowing from one library is now borrowing from all, there's no need for all three locations to purchase multiple copies of the same works.

To that end, a grant from the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation paid for the purchase of a delivery van complete with LVLS logo at a total cost of $22,500. Scott Joiner, a part-time Easton employee, will make daily deliveries between the cities.

Allentown Library Director Renee Haines said the Lehigh Valley is unusual as most Pennsylvania counties have integrated systems while we do not – with the added complication of Bethlehem's straddling Lehigh and Northampton.

Haines said the Lehigh Valley system allows easy borrowing and research sharing for everyone involved. "It'll make life easier for users to use all three libraries in the valley. When you order a book it might come from any of the three of us." She said this applies to all media – and as Bethlehem is the only library that carries video games, residents elsewhere can now look forward to a new option.

Haines added at some point a new system-wide library card will be issued that will slowly phase out individual library cards as residents update their accounts.

"This is really exciting," Haines said.

Jeff Warren, representing Sen. Lisa Boscola, was present to convey his boss' support. "For her it's the connectivity for these Lehigh Valley communities – bringing them together."

Bethlehem employee James Talarico, who performs web and marketing functions and also designed the LVLS logo, said after nine years he's still excited to work at the library. "It's a lot of fun," he said, "It's great to have fun and serve the community."

Haines said the three libraries are now deeply connected but will remain autonomous. The three libraries are sharing costs for the computer system and van maintenance, Haines said, and budgetary issues concerning one library should impact its own collection before it affects the system. But she admitted money problems happen everywhere, and how to handle the issue equitably must be considered.